According to Newzoo’s latest Global Games Market Report, which will be released in full on September 10, the worldwide video‑game industry is on track to expand by 6.1 percent over the next year, bringing total revenue to roughly $213.9 billion. More than half of that spending is expected to come from two powerhouses – China and the United States – underscoring the continued dominance of these markets in shaping global gaming trends. The report breaks down the forecast by platform, starting with consoles.
Newzoo predicts console sales and related services will generate about $46.9 billion, representing 22 percent of the total market and marking a 5.1 percent year‑over‑year increase. A major driver behind this uplift is the highly anticipated November release of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI. The new title is expected to lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5 percent, a surge that Newzoo describes as the strongest growth among all business models in the sector.
Mobile gaming remains the largest slice of the pie, projected to capture 57 percent of global revenue – roughly $121.1 billion – and grow by 6.8 percent compared with the previous year. This growth is fueled by higher average spend per player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels, which allow developers to sell games straight to gamers without relying on traditional app‑store intermediaries. A recent FastSpring and Omdia survey supports this trend, revealing that 96 percent of studios either already operate or intend to launch their own D2C web stores.
Studios cite benefits such as stronger brand visibility, deeper customer loyalty, and richer first‑party data that can be leveraged for targeted marketing and product improvements. In contrast, the PC segment is forecast to hold the smallest share of the market at 21 percent, translating to $45.9 billion in revenue.
While still growing – Newzoo estimates a 5.3 percent year‑over‑year increase – the pace is expected to slow compared with the 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) projected for 2025. The report suggests that PC growth will be geographically diverse, with notable gains in the Asia‑Pacific region, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) markets. When it comes to business models, premium and mid‑priced releases are expected to continue sustaining revenue from full‑game purchases. Meanwhile, microtransactions are predicted to reclaim the top spot as the most lucrative model, reflecting the industry’s ongoing shift toward in‑game purchases, cosmetics, and seasonal passes.
This shift aligns with the broader insight that future market expansion will rely less on attracting new players and more on retaining and monetising existing audiences. Player numbers are also set to climb, albeit at a slower pace. Newzoo estimates the global player base will reach 4.07 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual rate of 3.2 percent after a 4.4 percent increase in 2026.
Mobile gamers will dominate the landscape, with an estimated 3.10 billion users in 2026 – about 84 percent of all gamers. PC gamers are projected to number around 977 million (26 percent of the total), while console players will total approximately 651 million (18 percent). Penetration rates are expected to inch upward from 61.5 percent to 62 percent in 2026, indicating that the market is approaching saturation in many mature regions.
Newzoo notes that the remaining growth will stem largely from the expanding online population, which is forecast to rise by 3.5 percent to reach 5.97 billion people worldwide. Consequently, there is limited headroom for deepening penetration in established markets; instead, developers will need to focus on extracting more value from existing users through enhanced engagement, personalized content, and innovative monetisation strategies. Geographically, growth is concentrating in emerging markets. The Asia‑Pacific region remains the largest contributor to overall revenue, while the Middle East and Africa are experiencing the fastest growth rates, driven by increasing internet connectivity, rising disposable incomes, and a youthful demographic eager for interactive entertainment.
In summary, Newzoo’s outlook paints a picture of a maturing yet still expanding global gaming ecosystem. While the sheer size of the market continues to grow, the dynamics are shifting toward higher spend per user, greater reliance on direct‑to‑consumer channels, and a renewed emphasis on microtransaction‑driven revenue streams. The upcoming launch of Grand Theft Auto VI is poised to be a pivotal moment, potentially catalysing a notable spike in full‑game sales and setting a benchmark for future blockbuster releases.
Developers and publishers that can successfully navigate these trends—by balancing premium offerings with compelling in‑game monetisation and by leveraging D2C platforms to deepen player relationships—will be best positioned to thrive in the increasingly competitive landscape of 2026 and beyond.